Diesel generator owned and operated by Yukon Energy in Whitehorse Yukon, Canada
Diesel generators are very useful machines that produce electricity by burning diesel fuel. These machines use a combination of an electric generator and a diesel engine to generate electricity. Diesel generators convert some of the chemical energy, contained by the diesel fuel, to mechanical energy through combustion. This mechanical energy then rotates a crank to produce electricity. Electric charges are induced in the wire by moving it through a magnetic field. In an electric generator application, two polarized magnets usually produce the magnetic field. A wire is then wound around the crankshaft of the diesel generator many times, which is placed between the magnets and in the magnetic field. When the diesel engine rotates the crankshaft, the wires are then moved throughout the magnetic field, which can induce electric charges in the circuit. A general rule of thumb is that a diesel generator will use 0.4 L of diesel per kWh produced. The diesel engine used is essentially an internal combustion engine. Unlike a gasoline engine, the diesel engine uses the heat of compression to ignite and burn the fuel that has been injected into the injection chamber. In general, diesel engines have the highest thermal efficiency out any internal combustion engine, which allow to achieve an approximate percentage of the Carnot efficiency. Diesel engines can operate off of many derivatives of crude oil. The fuels a diesel engine may use for combustion include natural gas, alcohols, gasoline, wood gas and diesel.[2]
Versatility
Diesel generators are used in many versatile applications around the globe. Typically they are set up in rural places where they are connected to a power grid and can be used as the main power source or for a backup system. Diesel generators can also be used to offset the peaking power needs on the grid because they can quickly be turned on and off without inducing any lag time. Generators used in residential settings can range anywhere from 8 to 30 kW while generators used for commercial settings can range anywhere from 8 KW to 2,000 KW. Large ships also utilize diesel generators for auxiliary power purposes, which can range from lights, fans and switches to supplementing power to the propulsion system.
Emissions
Burning diesel or other fuels creates exhaust gasses. Diesel generators produce carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and particulate matter. These generators release this into the atmosphere and substantially reduce air quality in the nearby regions. Every litre of fuel has 0.73 kg of pure carbon, 2.6 kg of carbon dioxide released per liter of diesel fuel.
References
“A Tour of Yukon Energy’s Whitehorse Power Plants.” [Online]. Available: http://explorenorth.com/wordpress/a-tour-of-yukon-energys-whitehorse-power-plants/ . [Accessed: 28-Mar-2014].
Annaratone D., Steam Generators: Descirption and Design. Milano: Springer, 2007.
At its simplest, a generator set or “genset” is a piece of portable equipment, consisting of an engine and an alternator/electric generator, used to provide energy. Gensets are often used in developing areas and other areas not connected to the power grid; places where power outages are frequent; and/or where an outage can cause especially significant or dangerous problems, such as deep in a mine. They can serve as the main source of energy or as a supplementary power source, perhaps during peak usage hours.
APR Energy offers one of the largest fleets in the world of these mobile containerized generators. Here is a more in-depth look at them.
A genset is a combination of a prime mover, (typically an engine), and an alternator. An engine converts the chemical energy of a fuel to mechanical energy. That mechanical energy is used to spin the alternator rotor; converting mechanical energy to electrical energy. An alternator is made of two main parts; a rotor and stator. Spinning the alternator rotor through the magnetic field between the rotor and stator creates a voltage on the alternator stator, through the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction. When the voltage on the stator is connected to a load, electrical current flows, and the generator produces power.
In sum, the genset creates portable sources of energy. When the generator is used in conjunction with a diesel engine, as just one example, this creates a diesel genset.
A genset is usually housed in a sound attenuated enclosure to reduce noise to the surrounding areas, and is typically made of steel or stainless steel, or aluminum. This cabin must be able to withstand corrosion and effectively manage the engine cooling process. The baseframe contains an anti-vibration system; it may also contain the fuel tank or the tank may be separate. Other elements include a control panel and an automatic transfer switch in case energy needs to be alternated between the main source and an auxiliary one.
Benefits of a well-built, industrial-quality genset are numerous, including:
Here are more specifics. When you choose a genset module from APR Energy, you can count on diesel- and gas-powered modules that use the latest in reciprocating engine technology with superior efficiency and significant fuel savings, plus improved frequency and voltage stability. Our gensets are easily transportable by land, sea or air, housed within a standard ISO 12.2m (40 foot) container. To ensure rapid installation and commissioning globally, our package design has minimal interfaces. These units can be combined into scalable 5.5 MW blocks and can facilitate rapid installation up to 300 MW or more.
Additional benefits of gensets by APR Energy include:
The APR Energy gas power module is a highly efficient choice, with installation and commission possible in as quickly as 30 days. Specs at 50 Hz include:
This natural gas-powered module provides highly reliable, fuel-efficient energy to support fast-track power with automatic loading control. You can use the energy in multiple ways, continuously in base load or during peak hours only, using automatic or manual paralleling via our utility paralleling switchgear.
This module can support a broad range of power generation applications for industrial and utility usages, even in extreme conditions and/or in remote locations. This system was designed to perform optimally on low-pressure pipeline natural gas, with low emissions. You can find significantly more information about our natural gas genset features and benefits.
The APR Energy diesel power module is also a highly efficient choice, with installation and commission possible in as quickly as 30 days, as well. Specs at 50 Hz include:
Specs at 60 Hz include:
Our diesel gensets come with all the benefits of the gas-powered ones, being fuel-efficient, highly reliable and able to support fast track power for industrial and utility needs in extreme conditions and/or remote locations. Here is more information about our diesel genset features and benefits.
APR Energy was the first company to provide energy in Myanmar, post-sanctions. This country, the second-largest producer of natural gas in Southeast Asia, had struggled because of a combination of sanctions and a dearth of foreign investment. This led to an underdeveloped infrastructure, along with aging power plants. Seventy-five percent of its population had not had access to electricity and the country’s energy production potential was not being met.
The United States and multiple European Union nations lifted sanctions in 2012 and, in 2014, APR Energy signed a power generation agreement with Myanmar’s government. Within 90 days, we installed one of the country’s largest thermal plants, with 70 percent of the workers sourced locally. This won a Top Plants 2015 award.
Reasons that Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise chose our company for our genset services include our ability to:
You can find more information about this natural gas genset case study here.
Using diesel gensets, APR Energy provided reliable power for the world’s second-largest silver mine, winning a 2015 Safety Recognition as we provided a scalable solution from development to operation. Challenges we faced included the rural, mountainous region of the mine’s location, along with rigorous environmental and safety requirements as we designed and installed a system to ensure uninterrupted power in a life-dependent situation. Fast-track power solutions were needed for the Escobal mine in Minera San Rafael in part because of right-of-ways challenges.
Reasons that our genset services were chosen included our ability to:
Here’s more information about this diesel genset case study.
Genset power needs vary widely based on geographical and industrial needs, among other factors. To talk about your own unique requirements, contact APR Energy online to discuss our genset services or call +1 (904) 223 2278.